I think this piece is about time and the exclusion of sinners in heaven.
It is not easy understood by just reading it. I will explain why I think
this is her theme. She goes about the subject by expressing her thoughts on
time. She state that time is an Eternity. No one wants to really die and
some people go about their life as if it will never end as if it were an
eternity that why (it feels so vast). She then places time in a circle, in
Christianity a circle is a symbol of eternity that is why a ring is given
in marriage since its shape is a sphere to represent a boundless unity that
no man can break. When she say,” I fear me this Circumference Engross my
Finity, Dickenson could be expressing the fears that she is also being
deceived with the feeling of eternity. Though she is conscious that her
time on earth is limited but when a person goes to heaven than that time
will becomes the circumference that Dickinson speaks about.
“To His exclusion” , exclusion of what?, The exclusion to heaven.
The word His is implying God. But why is He excluded? And Who is He
excluding? Sinners are being excluded from the circumference of heaven
because of their sins. Dickenson praises God in her last line by placing
Him in a circle (diameters) and stating that he is everywhere and seeing
everything and everyone (Stupendous Vision). That is how He excludes.
/>

Do you have any comments, criticism, paraphrasis or analysis of this poem that you feel would assist other visitors in understanding this poem better? If they are accepted, they will be added to this page of American Poems. Together we can build a wealth of information, but it will take some discipline and determination.

Do not post questions, pleas for homework help or anything of the sort, as these types of comments will be removed. The proper place for questions is the poetry forum.

Please note that after you post a comment, it can take up to an hour before it is visible on the website! Rest assured that your comment is not lost, so don't enter your comment again.